PORT ORCHARD, Wash. – For decades, the Kitsap County Courthouse has been at the center of our judicial system – a place where decisions are made every day that affect families, businesses, and public safety. But behind the scenes, the building itself has been struggling to keep up with the demands of a modern justice system.
In the latest Commissioner's Corner video, District 2 Commissioner Oran Root speaks with Acting Assistant Director Todd Parkington and Judge Melissa Hemstreet to find out why the courthouse needs more than another short-term fix; what's driving the decision to modernize it, and what these changes mean for the people who use the building every day.
With close to 230,000 people visiting the courthouse every year, this 90-year regional public facility is critically important to county operations. Years of temporary fixes have kept it operational, and future plans will solve issues around safety, accessibility and capacity.
Watch Commissioner's Corner:
The full episode featuring Commissioner Root, Acting Assistant Director of Capital Facilities Todd Parkington, and Kitsap County Superior Court Judge Melissa Hemstreet is available anytime on BKAT's YouTube channel.
For more information and to stay informed of progress on modernizing the Courthouse, visit the project webpage.
Contacts:
Kym Pleger, Communications Manager, Kitsap County Public Works
